WEXFORD GAA has written toCrokeParkseeking a change to the proposed National League schedule for the county’s senior teams over next March’s St. Patrick’s Weekend.

The draft-fixtures plan for the Leagues have been released, and the hurlers are scheduled to be at home to Antrim on Saturday 16th March, while the footballers are pencilled in to host Westmeath atWexfordParkon the Monday, March 18th. 

But theCountyBoard, having reviewed the proposed arrangements, is issuing a request to GAA Headquarters in the hope that these games can be staged as a double-header. This is in an effort to ease the financial burden on supporters while, at the same time, encouraging an increased attendance at a two-game bill.

Liam Dunne’s hurlers have been handed three away trips out of their five appointments in Division 1B, and, aside from the opening round trip to neighbours Carlow, they face difficult trips to Offaly (March 10th) and Limerick (March 31st) in the second and fifth rounds respectively. Sandwiched in between the latter two games are a couple of home fixtures, as Antrim come to Wexford for that proposed March 16th tie, before Dublin head this way on March 24th.

The footballers, meanwhile, will undoubtedly be delighted to have four of their seven group games at home as they face into a tough return to Division 2. But the away-games will be real testers, as Wexford must head up the M50 twice, to face Armagh (second round on February 10th) and Louth (fourth round on March 10th), before heading out West to play Galway (sixth round on March 24th) who Wexford accounted for on their last journey to Pearse Stadium, in an All-Ireland championship Qualifier in 2009.

Aidan O’Brien’s national bow as Wexford senior manager is due on February 3rd when his charges reacquaint themselves with a Longford side who they met four times during 2012: twice in the League, including the Division 3 decider, together with the two-game Leinster championship quarter-final battle. The footballers’ other home dates are againstDerry(third round on March 3rd), Westmeath (fifth round on Monday 18th March) and a concluding group tie with Laois (April 7th).